Civilization and Capitalism, 15th-18th Century

This book is written for an advanced audience. Casual readers may want to read something else. That said, I absolutely loved it! If you are interested in the economy of the world from 15th to 18th centuries, this book is simply the best. There are thousands of interesting details, anecdotes, and wonderful illustrations; that fit together in an easy to read context. Braudel gives a wealth of information about agriculture, from production techniques to the common persons' diet. There are also descriptions of the development of many crafts and common goods such as furniture. I enjoyed this book primarily because I found the specific details interesting. Braudel touches here and there on economic theory. However, this book does not introduce theory, it presupposes some familiarity on the part of the reader. Braudel is balanced in relation to other economic theorists, there seem to be only two theories which he strongly promotes. First is the concept that societies frequently bump up against the limit of what is possible with their current technology for some sector of the economy, while other sectors of the economy lag far behind the limits of what is possible. Second is the concept that towns are the dynamic element of civilization, nation states are seen as counter-productive, and rural life is seen as dominated by towns.

I needed this book for class and it arrived in good condition and in a timely fashion, so I appreciate the time and effort given by this vendor.

I read this volume and its two companions several years ago, and they changed my view of the world. Although I am a long time amateur student of history and economics, this series really brings the period to life and tackles one of the most contentious subjects in historiography: the rise of capitalism. It's easy to read and, although full of detail, calls our attention to the great currents flowing beneath daily events. I also recommend Braudel's "The Mediterranean in the Time of Phillip II" for a really detailed look at the Mediterranean economy in the late 16th Century.

This is part of a trilogy of books dedicated to exploring the economy top down, and down up. Nothing quite like it exists. All three volues are a pleasure to read. This one in particular is dedicated to the amounts of meat and milk consumed in the Middle Ages, and the rhythm and substance of early modern life. It is aimed at historians and scholars, but if you are just curious and a dedicated reader, you'll be drawn in very quickly.

I don't care for (or much understand) economics. And I often find history to be very dry. This book, however, was a VERY enjoyable read. I originally checked it out of the library because I needed some information for a paper I was writing...and I was hooked enough to buy this books and others by this author. Braudel sees the big picture AND the details -- and not only that, he writes in such an interesting manner that I was able to assimilate a vast amount of information before I knew it.